Manhattan School of Music Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.

Mariya from New Paltz, NY

11/25/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

7 out of 7 people found this review useful.
1 of 4

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Studious, self-driven, fun loving, eager, music-loving...

Tips for prospective students

Make sure to find a private teacher that is good for you - not jut one that you've heard good things about. Shop around. Also, visit the school so there are no surprises. Keep in constant contact with the office of admission and financial aid as well, it will help you if they know you.

Bang for the buck

In general, it's a top-notch school. However, it's not a rich school - there is not a lot of scholarship money, and the pianos are in a constant state of needing repair - like the copy machines, heaters in the main building, and the elevators.

Am enjoying being here

The atmosphere is more relaxed than Juilliard, and that suits me. It's by no means low-stress, but nobody is out to sabotage you and we're all friends with each other. The dorms are pretty nice, and it's New York City! What's not to love?

Am learning a lot

All of the faculty are extremely learned and passionate, eager to pass their knowledge on to students, even if you're not so interested. There are classes in pretty much every musical subject you might want - theory, aural skills, composition, injury prevention, history, general piano, the list goes on and on. My private lesson teacher is AMAZING - really helpful and all around godly, but as I understand it, you would need to do some research to find the best teacher for you.

Prepare to become organized! Organization is a form of discipline you'll need to adopt. Procrastination doesn't fly in a conservatory like MSM, where you're expected to do all of your homework, study, write essays, compose counterpoint, memorize pieces, and practice for your lessons on top of that! Don't fall victim to falling behind - make a planner or calendar and get yourself a watch!

Bang for the buck

Although MSM is on the pricey side, it is well worth the money. You get a one of a kind experience and a look into the life of a professional musician. Each student is assigned their own private teacher for their respective instrument (which tuition covers), which anyone would pay over $100 for outside of the school (per lesson). Your teacher is assigned based on your audition performance and who the faculty finds appropriate to help you grow into a successful MSM alumnus. You can, if things don't work out, change your teacher throughout the course of the school year. The school's aims are to help you, not limit you, so if you establish good relationships with the staff (both of the academic and financial realm), you'll make the most out of your tuition.

Am enjoying being here

Imagine being surrounded by some of the most talented faculty and students in the world in a small building on the Upper West Side: that is Manhattan School of Music. You're constantly being challenged to learn in a positive way. When you're not learning in class, you're learning from your fellow peers. Once you get the hang of how MSM operates, you'll be exposed to the plethora of performance opportunities you'd like to participate in that aren't even in your designated major. I'm studying as a mezzo-soprano in classical voice but I've already participated in contemporary music ensembles, jazz, piano master classes, and a string chamber group. It's impossible to be bored!

Am learning a lot

One of Manhattan School of Music's most admirable traits is the individual attention it assigns to its students. Although all classes in the same field operate on a standardized curriculum, students have the chance to grow on their own. Not only is there room to progress at your own pace, but the passionate faculty motivates you to learn more - and faster! Never have I been so excited to learn as I have at MSM.

Solomon from Baltimore, MD

the campus has a full-time security staff. it is very well maintained when you are in the campus. you must be more careful once outside the campus.

Greek Life

there are no sororities or fraternities on campus.

Clubs and Activities

there are chamber music groups, shows and singing groups.

Great for these types of students

the conservatory is great for musicians and singers looking to improve their musical skills.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

there are no unusual tradtions or locations on campus.

Bang for the buck

well - msm is a good buy but definitely not cheap. the location in new york city makes the cost high.

What to do for fun

there are soo many things to do for fun because of the location being in new york city. there are lots of musical events, museums, libraries and free events in nyc. never a dull moment. there are fantastic restaurants and carry outs too.

Food and Dining

the food is good but everything is ala carte and so you pay as if it was a restaurant. it can add up quickly.

Dorm Life

the dorm is fairly new. there is air conditioning. the bathrooms are on the same floor outside your rooms. the bathrooms are cleaned daily so that the students do not have to do this chore. when you first go there, you usually share a room and then there is lottery when you are already there for the following year which allows you to try to get a single room. i had a single room my last year there and it was beautiful with a wonderful view of manhattan.

Academic Rigor

the academic rigor is high. the classes all relate to your major and this makes it more interesting to study.

Tips for prospective students

my tips for prospective students would be to be very prepared when you go for your audition. the teachers are looking for near perfection in order to get accepted. there are many people interested in going there for all over the world.

In three sentences

the manhattan school of music is an excellent college for any serious student of music. the teachers and students are all very dedicated to music and improving their skills. i attended msm and earned my bachelors of music in piano performance there last year.

MSM has established itself as one of the most respected music conservatories in the world because of its curriculum, faculty, and competitiveness. Although it is sometimes overshadowed by the other school (located at Lincoln Center), MSM cannot be ignored when comparing it with other peer institutions. The supportive community at MSM is unlike any other school I know.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.